Troy Jackson’s Healthy Lifestyles story

Note: This entry was published in the Summer 2019 Edition of the Special Olympics Athlete Review (SOAR) newsletter.

By Troy Jackson

I’ve been involved with Special Olympics for the past 14 years and have enjoyed every moment of it. Two years ago, I happened to get an e mail with a newsletter called SOAR. When I first opened it, I saw some amazing stories from other athletes whose accomplishments on and off the field empowered them to accomplish other great things within their community.

As soon as I finished reading SOAR, I immediately started typing up a story for the next edition. In that story, I talked about my athletic accomplishments and how Special Olympics has helped me develop a positive mindset, eat healthy and exercise on a regular basis. Shortly after I submitted my story, I found out that there was a position for athletes like me that were interested in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The name of the training I went through was called “Healthy Lifestyles,” which then allowed me to become a Health and Fitness Coordinator. I’ve had amazing experience as a Health and Fitness Coordinator by leading Healthy Habits discussions, organizing health and fitness clubs and helping my fellow athletes set personal sports and fitness goals.

In the last 14 years, I’ve made several new friends and look forward to many great opportunities down the road!

– Troy Jackson, Bucks County

As a result of my accomplishments locally, I then got the opportunity to instruct Healthy Lifestyles at Athlete Leadership University the last two years. After continuing with my practicum, I then got to graduate with a degree in health during the Athlete Leadership University graduation ceremony. The same weekend, I also became trained as a global messenger so I can tell even more people about my accomplishments and how Special Olympics can empower them to live a healthier lifestyle.

Additionally, this is also my first year coaching for flag football. I feel the skills I have picked up as a Health and Fitness Coordinator will help me greatly so that other athletes can achieve their personal bests! In the last 14 years, I’ve made several new friends and look forward to many great opportunities down the road!

Troy Jackson is an Athlete Leader from Bucks County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 14 years. Troy is a member of the Athlete Leadership University Class of 2019. Outside of Special Olympics, Troy enjoys practicing martial arts and cooking.

York County’s Jonathan Martin competing at SONA Golf Championships

From September 22-25, 2019, York County golfer Jonathan Martin will compete at the Special Olympics North America Golf Championships in Nashville, TN. This is the second time this international tournament has been held in Nashville, Tennessee. It was previously held in Nashville two decades ago during its inaugural year. 

More than 230 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners, representing 23 U.S. and Canadian Special Olympics Programs compete at Hermitage Golf Course in five different divisions. Jon is competing at Level 4 and is joined by his caddie Nathaniel Martin and coach Martha Martin.

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UPDATE: In his first round of the tournament, Jonathan shot a 53. In his second round, he shot a 52, for a two-day total of 105.

In his final round, Jonathan shot a 50, giving him a total of 155, good for second place in Level 4, Division 3! Congrats, Jonathan!!

LGPA professional golfer In-Kyung Kim (I.K. Kim) welcomed the delegations at the Opening Ceremonies and will spend time with them throughout the tournament.

Special Olympics Washington County helps celebrate Sheetz opening

On Wednesday, Special Olympics Pennsylvania — Washington County athletes, volunteers friends and family gathered at the grand opening of the Race Track Road Sheetz store in Washington County.

Athletes were on hand to help with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and sample some of the best food and drinks Sheetz has to offer!

Throwback Thursday: QVC staff volunteers at Fall Fest

At the 30th Anniversary of Fall Festival last year, QVC sent 30 volunteers to Villanova’s campus to participate in the fun! Pictured are some of the QVC volunteers with the Area M soccer team.

The QVC team is planning to volunteer again at this year’s Fall Fest and if you’d like to join them, simply visit our website for more information.

Photo and information provided by Kristen Skutch.

Katie Miller’s journey to Graduation

Note: This entry was published in the Summer 2019 Edition of the Special Olympics Athlete Review (SOAR) newsletter.

By Katie Miller

My name is Katie Miller and I have been participating in Special Olympics activities for 11 years.

I represent Berks County and compete in Volleyball, Floor Hockey and Softball and have competed in Swimming, Basketball and Soccer. This year, I decided to try something new by participating in bocce.

Four years ago, I was asked by the Berks County Management Team if I would be interested in serving as the Athlete Representative. While I said yes, I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into until I attended my first training. During that training, I was fascinated when I learned about all the opportunities Athlete Leaders had at all levels of the organization.

A few months later, I found out that there was an opportunity for me to attend another Athlete Leadership University session. I had seen Global Messengers speak at several competitions before; however, I didn’t know how to become one until after I completed my first training. In just six months, I became trained in two different ambassador roles for Special Olympics.

In just six months, I became trained in two different ambassador roles for Special Olympics.

– Katie Miller, Berks County

Attending Athlete Leadership University is a major commitment. The trainings last almost a whole weekend where you’re in a classroom setting with very little downtime. However, having instructors that are Athlete Leaders and Mentors share real life experiences helped engage me better so I could accomplish the same things. Sometimes, the sessions have been close enough to me that I was able to commute from home. Other times, I’ve gone to sessions three or more hours away, one of which was in Indiana County during a snow storm!

Even though I accomplished a lot in my first year as an Athlete Leader, I was far from done. Athlete Leadership University is the same as any other university curriculum. In order to advance to the next level, you have to complete a series of practicums.

One of my first assignments was being asked to give a short speech welcoming athletes to the Eastern Fall Sectional Sectionals held at East Stroudsburg University. Shortly after, I was asked to speak again at the Eastern Spring Sectional at Kutztown University. During that speech, I got to meet Dr. Christine Lott, a professor at Kutztown. Since she thought I did a great job with my speech at the event, she invited me to speak to her class later that month. When I first became a Global Messenger, I did get nervous occasionally in front of big crowds, however in the end, it all worked out really well.

During that speech, I got to meet Dr. Christine Lott, a professor at Kutztown. Since she thought I did a great job with my speech at the event, she invited me to speak to her class later that month. When I first became a Global Messenger, I did get nervous occasionally in front of big crowds, however in the end, it all worked out really well.

– Katie Miller, Berks County

These experiences led me to sigh up for the Global Messenger II course and some more homework and practicums. That took some time and some hard work. But we all know those two things usually pay off. Of course my Mentor, coaches, and the state staff were very helpful and encouraging. I then decided to take the next step and complete Athlete Representative II. This past spring, I served on the Games Organizing Committee for the Eastern Spring Sectional. Even though I was competing and tired after a long day of competition, I still stayed after to help the rest of the committee clean up because I wanted to be a part of as many thing as I could. Four weekends of courses and training and a good bit of homework in all. I met many new friends that I keep in touch with and picked up several new skills to lead by example.

This past August I was proud to attend the Graduation banquet and ceremony at the Penn Stater Hotel with cap and gown. I received a diploma as a Global Messenger and one for Athlete Representative. I am ready to try to inspire fellow athletes to do our best every day. I am also ready to represent all athletes to people willing to listen to our stories and what we stand for. I want you to consider starting the path I have been on. It will be challenging but fun. And you can help our great organization even more than you do now. Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s words kind of say it all doesn’t it?

Katie Miller is an Athlete Leader from Berks County and has been participating in Special Olympics for 11 years. Katie is proud to be a member of the county management team and member of the Athlete Leadership University Class of 2019.